Marlins: Jorge Guzman could be the team’s answer in the bullpen

Could Marlins pitching prospect Jorge Guzman become the leader of the bullpen when he finally makes his MLB arrival?

The Marlins minor leagues are full of pitchers maturing into MLB starting candidates.

There has been plenty of attention paid to top prospect Sixto Sanchez. The growth of Edward Cabrera gained plenty of attention in Jacksonville with the Jumbo Shrimp last season. We know Nick Neidert is only a few pitches away from making the leap to the Big Show and there are a few other arms that could challenge for a staring role in 2021.

The one name we don’t hear too much about who could become a real factor in the team’s play later this season or in 2021 is Jorge Guzman. Guzman was one of the trade chips that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees.

By the way, funny how Marlins fans are too unhappy about that move of late.

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The flame-throwing Guzman teamed with Sanchez and Cabrera in North Florida this past season, working on his control and fastball as he is about to make the leap to Triple-A Wichita for the 2020 campaign. He is also one of those under-the-radar players the front office will watch closely to determine if this is the season he shows Major Leaguers what his high-velocity fastball can do inside Marlins Park.

And like Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, who wrote about him this past week, I am of the belief when he finally lands in Miami from the Midwest, he could be a star in the team’s bullpen, possibly as the closer of the future.

“I think people have given up too quickly on Jorge Guzman, the Marlins’ No. 16-ranked prospect. The hard-throwing right-hander turns 24 on Jan. 28, and he made big strides at Double-A Jacksonville last year,” Frisaro adds.

The hard-throwing Guzman has never had complaints about the fastball that dances around the high-90s or the dominance he can show on the mound. It has been about growth and development, which takes some time. At 23-years-old, this is the season he is expected to finally make the Majors, even if it is toward the end of the year.

“In the second half of 2019, Guzman had a 3.26 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts). In 66 1/3 innings, he struck out 66 and opponents hit just .171,” Frisaro added. “Miami is keeping Guzman in the rotation and he likely will start off at Triple-A Wichita. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a bullpen option at some point this year.”

Like Jarlin Garcia, who was a starter at Double-A Jacksonville a few years ago, Garcia was moved to the bullpen before getting the call to come to Miami. The move paid off for both the player and the team. This could be the same kind of scenario.

The Marlins have added bullpen depth this offseason, which could mean a shuffle of players who make the final roster. Guzman isn’t ready to step into any set role yet, but the time in camp during Spring Training will give the Marlins coaching staff a chance to determine how soon Guzman’s chances of getting there will be.